Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 9
After Amon’s baptism he hid from being seen “pretty wet,” then he disappeared into jail for 16 months, with pressure and betrayal suspected from family; what does this narrative teach about the real cost of conversion, the fragility of “assurance” narratives that assume ease, and the kind of perseverance the New Testament expects as normal?
Another way to ask: Amon tried to hide his baptism and later spent 16 months in jail, likely because of family pressure. What does this teach about the real cost of following Jesus and the kind of endurance the New Testament says to expect?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Amon’s story shows conversion can bring immediate fear, social danger, and long suffering—not instant ease—yet God can use hardship to deepen commitment. The transcript doesn’t cite New Testament texts about perseverance, but it clearly portrays endurance and costly faithfulness as normal.
- Right after baptism Amon avoided public attention: he was “pretty wet” and “didn’t want to go outside…because he didn’t want people to ask questions.”
- Within about “three months,” he was arrested and “disappeared for 16 months in jail,” leaving the team uncertain “where…or even necessarily why.”
- The accusation involved alleged murder linked to his former madrasa; he was held until they “didn’t have enough evidence.”
- Leo describes corruption and pressure: a judge wanted “$6,000 to write the piece of paper” clearing the record.
- Leo suspects family pressure: brother-in-laws “became suspicious…leaving Islam and…fired up the case.” He can’t “quite verify,” but notes the betrayal dynamic.
- The suffering produced maturity: in jail he became “very solid in his belief in Christ,” and Leo predicted he’d come out either “died in the womb Muslim” or “completely Christian”—“and that’s the way it went.”